In this week’s podcast, Fr John sits down with Mike, a longtime campus minister, parish leader, and now diocesan director of the Diocese of Rochester NY, whose story winds through backroads and retreat houses, late-night factory shifts and unexpected holy moments. Together, John and Mike explore what it means to live the Gospel not just as a message, but as a way of being. It’s a conversation about presence, permission, and the quiet courage to follow the Spirit (sometimes a little off-script!) Recorded the day after Pentecost, the episode explores the call to live authentically in a world that is increasingly mediated by institutions, systems, and narratives that often obscure our deepest spiritual needs.🔊 Quote Highlights“The more you can learn to speak from your heart, the more universal it becomes.” — Mike“We are most ourselves when we are most with others.” — Mike“Jesus didn’t say ‘learn this content.’ He said, ‘follow me.’” — Mike"The medium is the message in the form of Jesus Christ"🌟 Topics CoveredMass Media as Formation: The influence of Marshall McLuhan (“the medium is the message”) and how mass media shapes not just what we learn, but how we live.Ivan Illich's critique of institutional religion: education, healthcare, and even the Church as systems that can alienate rather than liberate.Faith as Personal and Incarnational: Preaching and proclaiming the Gospel by telling our real stories—speaking from our own wounds and callings.Youth and Authenticity: What today’s high school and college students teach us about resisting systems that don’t serve the soul.The Divine Feminine and the Holy Spirit: Drawing from Pentecost and the Feast of Mary, Mother of the Church, the episode explores how nurturing others and being nurtured ourselves is central to Christian life.Preaching from Personal Experience: Referencing the CALLED initiative and Sunday to Sunday’s mission, Mike affirms the power of ordinary people sharing their extraordinary moments of grace.The Power of Community and Cohorts: Reflections on being part of the first CALLED cohort, and how lay people can become evangelists through community, vulnerability, and formation.📚 Deeper Dive Resources & ReferencesIvan IllichDeschooling SocietyRivers North of the Future (interviewed by David Cayley)David Cayley's work on IllichMarshall McLuhan: “The medium is the message” and “The medium is the massage”Wendell Berry: Used in Mike’s campus ministry writing coursesWilliam Blake: Referenced for his visionary theology and poetic influenceDaniel Andreev: Russian mystic and author of The Rose of the WorldRudolf Steiner & Owen Barfield: Philosophers/theologians discussed in relation to imagination and mysterySimone Weil, John Milbank, William Cavanaugh: Referenced for further theological engagementJordan Peterson: Noted for contemporary cultural critique and appeal to youth searching for answers and faith, de facto apologistFirst Things: Mike’s article on the Immaculate Conception featured there. Dioceses of Rochester, NY🔗 Links🌐 Learn More About the CALLED Initiative Discover retreats, workshops, courses, and join the digital community: 👉 https://www.preachingjourney.com or www.callcommunity.com📣 Join the CALLED Newsletter Receive weekly inspiration, workshop invites, and formation resources. 📧 Subscribe at preachingjourney.Follow Us on Social MediaInstagram: @calledtopreachFacebook: @calledtopreach🎙️ Listen & Subscribe Subscribe to The Attentive Heart Podcast on your favorite platform: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen.Also check out the new Work Your Values Podcast from Sunday to Sunday Productions🎁 Support Our Work Share this episode, rate and review us, and invite a friend into the CALLED journey.

Ver todos los episodios